Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Paul Elias, AP Biotechnology Writer
The poor results were widely expected since VaxGen Inc. had said earlier that its vaccine did not work in a larger North American study.
Most AIDS researchers agree that vaccines will be the only effective way to control a virus that has killed 28 million people and infected 42 million more worldwide.
Two dozen other vaccines are being tested on 12,000 human volunteers, but none has advanced as far as VaxGen's, and any successful candidate is years away. Officials at Brisbane, Calif.-based VaxGen said the Thai results underscored again how wily AIDS is in thwarting the immune system.
The findings also show "how important it is for the international public health community to redouble the effort to develop an effective vaccine," president Dr. Donald Francis said.
VaxGen's vaccine, like most others being tested, did not contain the virus itself and cannot cause AIDS. Instead, the vaccine contained small, manmade genetic bits of the virus that scientists had hoped would provoke an immune response strong enough to stop the virus from invading healthy cells.
Three years ago, the company enrolled 2,546 people in and around Bangkok who were at high risk for HIV because they habitually swapped needles to inject drugs. Half were given the experimental vaccine and half were given a placebo.
All volunteers were given extensive risk-reduction counseling, the company said.
In the end, the vaccine offered no greater protection: 105 people given the placebo became infected with HIV, while 106 people given the vaccine tested positive.
In February, VaxGen announced its vaccine was ineffective against a different AIDS strain found in North America. In that experiment, the vaccine failed in a test with 5,400 volunteers at risk because of their sexual habits.
031112
AP031124
Copyright © 2003 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .